Maryland LBPD Joins with Hadley to Offer Free Services
Cooking Classes, Vision Loss Support, Recreation Activities, and More
Baltimore, MD —
The Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD), a division of the Maryland State Library Agency (MSLA), is proud to announce a new partnership with Hadley, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing resources, social connection, and support to individuals experiencing vision loss.
Through this partnership, Maryland LBPD patrons will gain access to Hadley’s wide range of resources at no cost. With Hadley’s on-demand and live services, patrons will have access to daily living skills, recreation, braille education, and employment tools. Hadley also provides its members with a supportive peer community where they can share experiences and insights as they live with vision loss.
Some offerings from Hadley include:
- Daily living courses that cover reading, cooking, orientation & mobility, labels, guide dogs, and more.
- Adjusting to vision loss courses that cover various eye health concerns, seeking medical assistance, and communication tools for families.
- Recreation materials that cover gardening, gaming, birding, sports & exercise, and crafting.
- Technology education courses that cover Android, iOS devices, computers, books & TV, and smart speakers.
- Braille education by touch and by sight.
- Employment skills workshops covering assistive technology, how to talk with employers about low vision and blindness, and how to navigate common software applications.
Hadley was founded in 1920 by William Hadley, an educator who lost vision later in life. As a 501 (c)(3), the Hadley organization does not charge for services and relies on donations and sponsorships to provide services across the nation and in 100 other countries. Services are provided online, by phone, or by mail. Since its relaunch in 2020, Hadley has helped over 100,000 individuals and aims to reach 1 million people by 2030.
“We are truly excited by this partnership,” Ashley Biggs, Marketing and Outreach Librarian for the Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled, said. "LBPD’s mission is to be more than a provider of books. We aspire to connect our library patrons with the tools and resources they need to thrive. This partnership helps us do that.”
The library is encouraging all patrons, regardless of age, to take advantage of Hadley’s offerings.
To gain access to all of Hadley’s free resources, please navigate to: https://bit.ly/HadleyMD.
Providing your information will enable Hadley to contact you and tailor services to your needs. If you’re having difficulty navigating the Hadley website, please contact Ashley.Biggs1@maryland.gov (410-230-2430).
About Hadley
Hadley is a non-profit founded in 1920 that provides practical help, support, and community for individuals living with vision loss. Through its programs, individuals can connect with peers and services via phone, online, or by mail.
About Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled:
The Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD) provides comprehensive library services to individuals who cannot access traditional print materials due to visual, physical, or reading disabilities, including dyslexia. Reading materials are delivered by mail or direct download. LBPD also offers community engagement opportunities, assistive technology training, and college textbook conversion. Services are free to qualified Marlanders.
For additional information, contact:
Ashley Biggs/Marketing & Outreach Librarian
(667) 209-1563 | (410) 230-2430
ashley.biggs1@maryland.gov
About the Maryland State Library Agency (MSLA)
As the state library agency for Maryland, MSLA administers state and federal funds to support Maryland libraries in their mission to offer outstanding resources, programs, and excellent customer service. The State Library Resource Center, located in the central branch of the Enoch Pratt Free Library, serves as Maryland’s state library. MSLA has oversight of the Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled; Maryland’s Public Libraries; the State Library Network including the three regional libraries; the Library Capital Grants Programs; and the Deaf Culture Digital Library.
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